UK advertising body bans footballers from gambling ads to curb addicts
All top-flight footballers will be banned due to their mass social following
Last updated 29th May 2022
The UK's body for regulating advertisements has banned footballers from taking part in promotions for gambling.
In a statement issued on Tuesday (April 5th), the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) introduced a set of new rules aimed to safeguard young and vulnerable people, including gambling addicts.
As part of the new regulation, all top-flight footballers are now unable to appear in adverts promoting gambling as a result of their massive following on social media.
However, footballers are not the only ones excluded from this rule, as reality stars - such as contestants on Love Island - will also come under this rule.
As well as this, companies will not be able to use imagery that would appeal to people aged under 18.
The CAP said that the rules are part of a tightening of restrictions which was approved in October 2020, and the ban on footballers will not enter into effect until October 2022.
Speaking at the announcement of the new regulations, Shahriar Coupal, director of CAP, said it was time for a change in rules.
He said: "The days of gambling ads featuring sports stars, video game imagery and other content of strong appeal to under-18s are numbered.
"By ending these practices, our new rules invite a new era for gambling ads, more particular to the adult audience they can target and more befitting of the age-restricted product they're promoting."